From April 5 to 8, Andrea Lee and I had the privilege of attending the East Asian Christianity Conference at Gordon-Conwell Seminary in Hamilton, MA. Here’s how Gordon-Conwell described the conference:
In recent decades, Christianity has witnessed meaningful expansion across East Asia, thoughtfully navigating persecution, cultural integration, and interreligious dialogue. The East Asian Christianity Conference aims to harness these experiences, offering a platform for comparative research and practical application in church ministry and mission…
Approximately 150 people from various nations in East Asia and North America were in attendance. In reflecting on the lectures and case studies and the wonderful people I met, I would like to note these key observations:
Dr. Steve SC Moon’s talk about the current state of the missionary movement from South Korea was a powerful reminder that growth is not always linear. Despite the decline in the number of missionaries sent from churches in South Korea, the Korean church remains resilient, turning what some might see as a crisis into an opportunity for growth.
Chinese Christianity continues to be innovative as it adapts to changing political conditions. I noted this during my talk, and throughout the case study presentations and discussions, we heard directly from Chinese pastors about how these dynamics are affecting their contexts. One of the most memorable stories was about a movement in which individuals are hand-copying the Bible, spreading throughout China. This initiative is not driven by external pressures but stems from a genuine desire for deeper engagement with the Scriptures. Andrea Lee wrote about this phenomenon in an earlier post titled “Ink that Binds: How Bible Handcopying Drew His Children Together.”
Christianity has often been hidden in East Asia throughout history, especially in Japan, where it was banned from the mid-1600s to the mid-1800s. But even during that “silent” period, a faithful remnant remained. The Japanese-American artist Dr. Makoto Fujimura spoke eloquently about the cultural barriers to Christianity, such as Shintoism and family loyalties, and how God has sustained the small community of believers there.
The churches in Hong Kong are undergoing a significant transition, from being churches that welcome refugees to being refugees themselves as they move to the UK, Canada, and the US. This transition is not just physical, but also spiritual and emotional, as it is shaping a new identity for Hong Kong believers and churches. The process of adapting to new cultures and contexts, while also maintaining their faith and mission, is a complex and challenging one.
One country that stood out in the case study presentations—but is often overlooked in conversations about Christianity in East Asia—was Vietnam. We heard from leaders involved in a training center in Ho Chi Minh City, working to equip local believers amid social and religious challenges. Despite the country’s complex religious landscape and restrictions on organized faith communities, the Vietnamese church is growing steadily, with increasing interest in theological training and leadership development. The courage and humility of these leaders were striking. It was a beautiful reminder that gospel work continues even in places that rarely make the headlines.
It is important to recognize that Western missionaries played a significant role in spreading the gospel in East Asia. This role is often overlooked, especially considering the mistakes and sometimes misguided methods they employed. At the conference, several speakers from East Asia publicly acknowledged and expressed gratitude to the Western church for its contributions in bringing Christianity to the region.
God is actively working among his people throughout East Asia in ways that may be surprising to those of us in the West or may appear hidden. I am thankful for the opportunity to spend a few days listening to my Asian brothers and sisters share stories of God’s faithfulness to his church in that region.
Image credit: Andrea Lee
Joann Pittman
Joann Pittman is Vice President of Partnership and China Engagement and editor of ZGBriefs. Prior to joining ChinaSource, Joann spent 28 years working in China, as an English teacher, language student, program director, and cross-cultural trainer for organizations and businesses engaged in China. She has also taught Chinese at the University …View Full Bio
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